Diphtheria Fight Intensifies as MSF, Borno Vaccinate 840,000 Children 

Diphtheria Fight Intensifies as MSF, Borno Vaccinate 840,000 Children

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

No fewer than 840,000 children under the age of 14 have been vaccinated against diphtheria in Borno State this year, following a joint campaign by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services.

The large-scale immunisation drive was carried out in two phases, with 490,000 children reached during the first round held from February 9 to 15, 2026, while an additional 350,000 children were vaccinated in the second round conducted between April 9 and 15.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Maiduguri, MSF said the February exercise surpassed expectations, exceeding the initial target of 387,000 children by over 100,000. However, the April round fell slightly short of its 360,000 target, with about 350,000 children vaccinated.

“Despite the high number of children reached, limited vaccine availability constrained the scale of response in some affected communities,” the organisation said.

MSF explained that it worked closely with the state government throughout the campaign, providing extensive logistical and operational support to ensure its success.

“We supported the Borno State Ministry of Health to implement the two-week vaccination campaign by providing vaccine storage and trantransportation, incentives for immunisation teams, andlth promotion and supervision,” the statement noted.

According to the organisation, while it handled logistics and coordination, the vaccines used during the exercise were supplied by the state Ministry of Health.

Beyond vaccination, MSF said it also strengthened case management by supporting the diphtheria treatment unit at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

The organisation noted that the intensified vaccination campaign coincided with a rise in suspected diphtheria cases, underscoring the urgency of sustained intervention to kerb the spread of the disease.

Health authorities have continued to stress the importance of routine immunisation and community awareness to prevent further outbreaks, particularly among vulnerable children in conflict-affected areas of the state.